Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal less than 24 hours before the NBA draft, the question is whether it makes them instant title contenders.

The quick answer is no. But there are many caveats to that, the biggest being Antetokounmpo's health, as he played only 36 games last season due to a variety of injuries. But when he was in the lineup, he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in just under 29 minutes per game.

The fact that Antetokounmpo wasn't going to sign a contract extension with Milwaukee made this trade inevitable. The 31-year-old two-time MVP will make $58 million this season, and his player option for the 2027-28 season is worth $62 million.

The Heat clearly wants to win now, and Pat Riley is giving up Tyler Herro, who has averaged 20 or more points a game in five straight seasons, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, along with three first-round picks, one pick swap, and one second-round pick. One of those first-round draft picks is No. 13 in Tuesday's draft.

Riley's patience was clearly wearing thin, even with two NBA Finals appearances this decade. With this trade, the message is loud and clear: that the play-in game is not an option and anything less than a title run is unacceptable.

But the Eastern Conference has the Boston Celtics, still with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, who had the No. 1 seed before flaming out in the second round, and of course, the defending champions, the New York Knicks, figure to be back in the mix before it's all said and done.

Miami needs to address getting younger and will need someone to distribute the ball efficiently, especially if they don't hand the reins to Davion Mitchell or Dru Smith. Now that Herro is not on the roster, getting a proven 3-point shooter is an absolute must, as Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo clog the middle and demand double teams.

Norman Powell is 33 years old and led the Heat in scoring but is an unrestricted free agent. Adebayo is a 20-10 guy each night, but the role players who made Miami a functional, balanced — although underachieving team — are now in Milwaukee. Andrew Wiggins, whose best days might be behind him, is another piece that provides a veteran presence, but he, like Herro, will be on the last year of his contract and might be gone sooner rather than later.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis trade impact: How Heat are impacted after trade with Bucks

ANAHEIM, Calif. — After putting 27 runs on the board over their three-game series against the Athletics over the weekend, the offense dried up on Monday night for the Angels. 

The Angels’ bats were blanked until Jorge Soler's home run to lead off the ninth inning in their 6-1 loss against the Orioles. 

"Just off the barrel stuff," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said of the offense. "I thought they were taking good swings early in the count and just missing them."

Nolan Schanuel and Jo Adell hit consecutive singles to put runners on first and second with one out in the first inning, but the Angels were unable to convert and couldn't get anything going until Soler's homer. 

The Angels’ lineup drew only one walk, struck out 10 times and only scratched seven hits on the evening. They only had two baserunners reach scoring position in the whole game.

Orioles right-hander and former Angels farmhand Kyle Bradish tossed eight scoreless innings and struck out nine while only walking one and allowing six hits.

"I don't know if they were guessing at it, maybe looking for something different or kind of zoning in on that," Suzuki said of the offensive approach. "To (Bradish's) credit, three-two counts, he pretty much did his job, and he won most of those three-two counts."

On the mound, it was the long ball that gave left-hander Sam Aldegheri trouble. 

Taylor Ward made his return to Angel Stadium after spending the last eight years with the Angels, so it was only fitting that he hit a lead-off home run to start the game. 

Aldegheri recovered and retired the next nine batters he faced, but he ran into trouble again in the fourth inning.

After surrendering a walk and a single to begin the fourth inning, Aldegheri allowed a three-run home run to Coby Mayo to make it 4-0. 

"I feel like it was pretty much one pitch, that three-run homer," Suzuki said. "That was the one that one hurt a little bit, but, for the most part, he got ahead really good, and at the end of the day, again, it's the later in the counts, maybe some execution things."

The Orioles chased Aldegheri out of the game in the fifth inning after loading the bases with one out and scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by Pete Alonso. 

"I'm not satisfied, it's frustrating," Aldegheri said. "Didn't really give a chance to the team to win the game. But, I give up two homers. That's pretty much it besides a walk against Henderson, which is the one that I'm kind of more pissed off."

The Orioles added another insurance run for good measure in the seventh inning with an RBI triple from Gunnar Henderson against Brent Suter.

Lakers get encouraging Giannis Antetokounmpo multi-team trade news after Heat deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Milwaukee Bucks have finally ended the Giannis Antetokounmpo era after 13 seasons. 

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are shipping Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap, and one second-round pick.

In the days leading up to the monster deal, there were riveting rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers could be a part of a multi-team Antetokounmpo-focused deal that would land them a talented frontcourt contributor (like Myles Turner or Isaiah Stewart). 

While that’s not how things played out on Monday night, Charania noted that the biggest trade of the offseason thus far could involve additional teams before it's finalized in July.

“The Heat are sending to Milwaukee unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 along with No. 13, a pick swap in 2030 and a 2033 second-rounder, according to sources,” Charania wrote.

“The trade does not include any additional teams -- it is a one-to-one move, sources said -- but both the Heat and Bucks will execute the deal on July 6, which leaves the framework open to see if there are opportunities to expand.”

If the right opportunity presents itself, the Lakers shouldn’t be afraid to get involved in the Antetokounmpo deal before June. 6. Of course, if there are easier ways to land a significant center upgrade this summer, the Lakers should explore them. 

However, if joining a trade that originally featured two teams turns out to be the most viable path to pairing Luka Doncic with a high-motor lob threat, the 17-time NBA champions can’t afford to pass it up.

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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg is taking a unique approach to get new Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May’s attention ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 NBA Draft. While prospects often utilize workouts and the NBA Draft Combine to get on teams’ radars, the projected lottery pick went another direction.

Lendeborg publicly urged May to influence the Mavericks’ decision on their No. 9 pick as the franchise seeks to build out its young core around rising star Cooper Flagg.

Lendeborg’s direct tactic wasn’t surprising considering his history with May this past season in the NCAA Tournament. Together, they helped the Wolverines win the national championship.

May and the Mavericks could have at least three former Michigan players to consider at No. 9. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. are projected to be lottery picks, giving Lendeborg stiff competition from his college teammates.

To get a leg up on Mara and Johnson, Lendeborg appealed to May on “SiriusXM NBA” on Monday.

“Dusty better draft me, or I’m gonna be very upset,” Lendeborg quipped.

PFSN’s scouting report on Lendeborg provides a better argument for why Dallas should draft the well-rounded forward.

“Yaxel Lendeborg is a high-IQ, versatile forward with a relentless motor and outstanding defensive anticipation. At 6-foot-9 with a lengthy wingspan, he fills the stat sheet, rebounding at an elite rate, making plays as a connector on offense, and logging blocks and steals across multiple positions.

“Lendeborg excels near the basket with a soft touch and strong frame, and shows flashes as a floor spacer and creative passer, though his shooting consistency is still a work in progress.”

After No. 9, the Mavericks’ next pick in the first round is at No. 30, likely preventing May from getting two of his former star players unless the team trades up. However, Lendeborg is already trying to convince the coach that he’s a can’t-miss lottery prospect.

MORE:‘WHAT,’ ‘One Heck of an Offseason’ — NBA World Stunned As Mavericks Hire Michigan’s Dusty May As Next Coach

Lendeborg’s desire to reunite with May should be expected. In last month’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, the prospect gave reporters a glowing evaluation of the former Michigan tactician.

“A lot of schemes, a lot of switching and stuff. And his offense was very much a pro-style offense,” Lendeborg said. “We played fast-paced, physical, all of that. … I’ve gained so much knowledge from him as far as those actions and just those little communication keys.”

The Mavericks finished this past season with a 26-56 record. After revamping its front office and coaching staff, the franchise can focus on adding the right pieces around Flagg. If Lendeborg gets his way, he could help make the team relevant again with May at the helm.